Agricultural Planter Telescoping Hitch and Hydraulic Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural planters face issues with ground clearance and structural integrity when converting between field use and transport positions, leading to potential damage from dragging and complex hydraulic systems, particularly due to the need for substantial support structures and shared hydraulic cylinders for lifting and transport elevations.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping hitch design with separate hydraulic circuits for field and transport elevations, combined with stabilizer socket/bearing structures for rotational stability, allows for increased ground clearance and simplified hydraulic systems by maintaining end wheels in a raised position during transport, preventing damage and reducing structural complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the planter is raised to transport height using master lift cylinders, then the planter achieves road transport elevation, but the slave cylinders extend and leave end wheels in a lowered position that can become damaged during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The end wheel lift cylinders are activated before the planter is raised to transport height to elevate the end wheels to a raised position. This preliminary action ensures that when the planter is subsequently raised for transport, the end wheels remain elevated and cannot become damaged by dragging on the ground during transport or when pulled through varying terrain
2Device complexity
If the same hydraulic cylinders are used for both field lifting and transport elevation, then the hydraulic system is simplified, but the end wheels are left in a lowered position during transport preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into two independent circuits: master lift cylinders for field lifting operations and separate end wheel lift cylinders for elevating the end wheels. This segmentation allows the end wheels to be independently elevated to a protected position before transport, preventing damage while maintaining reasonable hydraulic system complexity through modular design
3Strength
If the support frame is positioned close to the ground for structural stability, then the planter maintains structural integrity during field operations, but the planter cannot cross over berms or pass through low lying passages
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is designed with dynamic positioning capability through the master lift cylinders, which can elevate the entire planter structure including the support frame to overcome obstructions such as berms or low lying passages. During normal field operations, the frame remains in a lowered position for structural stability, but can be dynamically raised when terrain obstacles are encountered
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides enhanced ground clearance and structural integrity during field operations while simplifying hydraulic circuits, preventing end wheel damage and maintaining operational efficiency during transport and field use without increasing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the master lift cylinders (5) are extended, rotating the axle and wheel assembly about the axle pivot pin (1) (and bearings on the hitch)—thus elevating the hitch to raise the planter frame
Implementation Method 2
a transport lift cylinder (10) mounted between the vertical lift post (14) and the center section (7) of the lift frame of the planter toolbar to elevate the planter toolbar when it is desired to move the planter to the transport position
Implementation Method 3
a set of stabilizer sockets (20) fixed to the planter lift frame and cross pins (23) mounted to the wheel support arms located near the outer ends of the axle structure to maintain the toolbar in a braced condition against rotation when the planter is in the field use position
Implementation Method 4
The hitch is a telescoping design that allows the hitch to be shortened as much as practical in the field use position but be lengthened to the toolbar and row units to be rotated to extend lengthwise in the direction of travel, for transport
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement pulled by a traction vehicle is convertible between use and transport configurations. The implement includes a carrier frame coupled to the vehicle via the combination of a hitch and a draft tongue having an aft portion pivotally coupled to the carrier frame and including a generally vertical cornered post rotatable about a vertical pivot axis. A lift frame having plural spaced row units includes an integral center frame section with a sleeve closely engaging and vertically slideable along the cornered post. A first displacement arrangement moves the aft portion of the draft tongue between the use position and a first elevated position for avoiding obstructions and to facilitate turning in a field, while second and third displacement arrangements respectively raise the lift frame higher on the vertical post and rotate the post and lift frame about the vertical axis to a longitudinal position for transport.